What does Ephesians 3:7 mean?

Paul considers himself a servant of the gospel: "Of this gospel I was made a minister." This verse does not use the Greek word for a pastor, but rather diakonos, from which we get the word "deacon." It literally means a servant of others. Paul approaches his work as that of service, rather than that of status. He serves "according to the gift of God's grace." His ability to lead is based on his God–given talents. The sign of a true Christian leader is a person who recognizes his or her leadership is a gift from God and uses this gift to serve others.

The final phrase "given me by the working of his power" expresses the idea of ministry as a spiritual gift. Paul counts himself among the apostles in 1 Corinthians 9:1–2. These messengers existed to equip the saints (Ephesians 4:12). He was no different from the believers he wrote to, other than receiving a spiritual calling to lead as an apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). This calling had also been affirmed by James, Peter, and John (Galatians 2:9), with Peter called to serve as an apostle to the Jews.